Picked up a copy of the basic Italian Pimsleur CD from the library. Searching the library catalog online is not as much fun as going through the packed physical shelves, but it’s convenient. Your library’s online catalog search function doesn’t work like online search engines, but it is getting closer to that model (more on this another time). The Pimsleur is a very well-known foreign language learning method, but does it live up to the hype?
The Good:
Much like the Berlitz, the Pimsleur method has been circulating for years and years and you’re bound to find a copy of it either in one of the dinosaur media formats or in anything else. Therefore, it is very accessible. It is also free to use at your local public library. The method is easy to follow along because the words are often broken down into syllables. Next time you listen to the basic Italian audio recording, notice how breaking words down into syllables makes it easy to learn and remember the words. You can feel the texture of the words and the music in the sentences as you listen. You are more likely to remember what you’re learning through this method because it won’t throw so much at you in one go like the Berlitz does.Â
The Medium:
The conversation topics are typically neutral. There is not much exciting going on there. However, the topics are easy enough to follow and they make it easy to imagine yourself being part of the scenarios described ( be warned that some topics might be somewhat dated though; just use your own best discerning judgement).Â
The Bad:
If you go with the Pimsleur you will move along at a snail’s pace. You will need to dedicate some time to work with this method, and you will advance but you won’t be fluent anytime soon. Surely your next month’s trip to Venice won’t benefit much from your binge-learning this month because it is a much slower moving method than the Berlitz, for example. Be prepared to plan in advance, or better still, try to project-manage your learning and look farther into the future for best results.
Lastly, your learning style might differ, so keep an open mind to find out what works best for you.